309th Fighter Squadron
309th Fighter Squadron
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Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon at Luke AFB
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| Active | 1942–1945; 1946–1993; 1994–present |
| Country |
 United States
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| Branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Role | Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Luke Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Wild Ducks |
| Motto(s) | Mad Mallards From Hell |
| Engagements | Operation Avalanche |
| Decorations |
Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 309th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 3 November 1955) |  |
| Patch with unofficial 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem |  |
| 309th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 27 November 1944) |  |
| Tailband | Blue & White |
|309th Fighter Squadron - World War II
The 309th Fighter Squadron (309 FS) is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
The 309th FS ("Wild Ducks", Tailband: Blue & White), flies F-16C and F-16D aircraft drawn from production Blocks 25 and 42 conducting F-16 crew training for active duty USAF pilots.
Initially established under Third Air Force in early 1942 as a fighter squadron at Baer Field, Indiana, flying some antisubmarine patrols in the Gulf of Mexico.
Deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in June 1942 without aircraft as its Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and Bell P-39 Airacobras were deemed unsuitable for use against German aircraft in long-range bomber escort duties. Was re-equipped with RAF Spitfire Vs and its pilots and technicians spent a two-month period undergoing intensive training in flying and fighting with RAF pilots in the British aircraft from airfields in southeast England. The squadron flew its first combat mission on 18 August 1942, when it attacked enemy positions in occupied France.
Assigned to the new Twelfth Air Force and deployed to Gibraltar in November 1942 as part of the Operation Torch invasion forces, initially operating from former Vichy French airfields in Algeria. Advanced east across Algeria and Tunisia during the North African Campaign, supporting the Fifth United States Army which halted Field Marshal Rommel's advance on allied positions.
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